ATHLETIC'S CLOSE CALL

Chronicle (Levin), 12 August 1946, Page 8

ATHLETIC'S CLOSE CALL

OTAKI BEATEN BY THREE 1 POINTS An unconverted try, the only points of the game, gave Athletic seniors the victory in their match vith Otaki, which was played on the Otaki Domain. The two teams were very evenly matchecl on the day, both in the backs and forwards The game was a hard one and tne 1 „core was a goocl indication of the game. The game was heavy and j militated against- fast play, and, with the exception of nccasional oright movements there was _seldom any good, clean passing. Line kicking by both teams wds good, while little fault coulcl be found, with the tackling of both sides. The teams lined out as follows: — Athletic: Skilton, Stevens, Batten, Galloway, Henson, Blenkhorn, Lomas, Carkeek, Corbishley, O'Donnell (2), Palmer, .Everton, Fietcher and Gordon. Otaki: Huff, Gordon, Morrison, Johnson (2), Winterburn, Hakaraia, ; Enoka, T.2.) , Jhgles,.. • .Gray, Henry, Nicholls Price, and Rcii'i. Otaki set the ball in' motion and 30011 initiated a passing bdut. : It was short-lived and Athletic intercepted and carried play back to the Otaki twenty-five. "For ten minutes the ball was never past the twentyfive flags, the game hovering in the centre of the field. Stevens was hara pressed 011 one occasion, but he emerged with credit, and backed up in loose play put Otaki on the aeiensive. While Athletic were 011 attack Galloway had a comparatively easy shot at goal from a free kick, but missed the bar, and Otaki accepted a force. From the kickout hard play followed, the lineouts and scrums being evenly and itubbornly contested. • From a solid forward rush Athletic attacked. and Palmer went over for a welldeserved try. The kick failed. Otaki headed a fine forward rush, but Athletic retaliated, the backs securing the ball to set most of the players in aclion. Ralmer made another dash for the line, but just failed to cross. Then Otaki forced Athletic' back, and some good play by the rearguard was seen, but the Athletic backs were equal to all occasions and kept the home team from crossing the line. Otaki kept up attacks, but Galloway was always equal to the oec.a.sion, and with a set of fast backs forced Otaki to neutral territory. The Otaki 'oacks had to stubbornly defend to keep Athletic from scoring, while in turn Athletic was trequently defending. However, Otaki eould not put on the final clinches, and the spell ended with Athletic three points up. Otaki set off at a fast pace to wipe off the deficit, and some good play resulted. Scrum work p^oved of a solid nature, while the hacks attempted on several occasions to open play. Iluff had a shot at goal early in this half, but failed to register points. Athletic retaliated and for fifty yards the forwards carried the ball upfield. One or

0 two accidents occurred and O'Donnell was obliged to retire. Up anci down play fcllowed, the ball beinp first in one twenty-five and then in the other, and frequentlj became embedded in the sa,nr« which had been piuced .on the ground to fill up quagmires. "Galloway had another shot at goal, and failed. Play to the end of the spell was of a detennined nature, Otaki making every efi'ort "to at least equalise the score. Mr. L. Smith was the referee. The Athletic backs * proved snappy, but, occasionally their passes were ill-directed, due largely to the greasy bal-1,- but there were no weak spots. Galloway, as u-'ua ' was a tower of strength. The forwards proved a hard-working ioz. the pick perhaps being Palmer and 1 Corbishley. The Otaki backs proved a good. even lot, and on the day's play very | little fault could be found with 1 them. Morrison, perhaps, was the ! pick. The forwards certainly worked well, and it was gratifying to sec , the younger players being conspicuous from start to finish. The older players were not lacking in dash.